Covid-19: How to wash your hand properly to protect you and your loved ones

How to wash hands properly to avoid coronavirus infection?

In today's scenario, as everybody knows that COVID-19 virus has changed the people's life drastically; However, there are some habits which save you and your family members life surely. Washing hands frequently is one of such habits. Respiratory virus such as SARS COVID-19 spread when mucus or droplets containing virus enters into the body via eyes, mouth, nose or throat. This virus is so contagious that it spreads from human to human by any means of physical contact including exchanging handshakes.  

To fight such pandemic, washing hands is proved to be the most effective, one of the cheapest, easiest and most important ways. Here, we will try to answer few important questions that arises in everyone's mind about washing hands. So, let us start discussing on those questions one by one-

How to wash hands correctly?

To eliminate all the traces of virus from hands, you are advised to wash your hands properly. A quick scrubbing and rinse won't do much in getting rid of virus. So, steps to wash your hands completely are as following-

• Wet both hands with running or fresh water; Don't use stalled water that is stored more than 2 days in water tank because it may be contaminated. So, it is advisable to use to only running or fresh water. 
• Apply sufficient amount of soap to covet your hands
• Scrub all the surfaces of the hands properly including fingers, nails, palms, and back side of hands as well for at least 20-30 seconds
• Rinse thoroughly with running water
  
• Dry your hands with clean towel or handkerchief or clean cloth or disposable toilet papers

When I should wash my hands?

It is recommended that your hands should remain clean all the time and you should wash your hands after every activity you do in which your hands may catch dirt. However, in the context of coronavirus, make sure to wash hands in the following situations-

• Whenever you are sneezing, coughing or handling your nose
• Just after visiting the public space including public transportation, public gatherings, markets, restaurants, schools, offices, etc.
• When touch surfaces outside you home including money as well
• Before, after or during caring a sick person at home or in hospitals
• Before or after having meal
• After using personal or public toilets
• After handling garbage, touching animals and pets, or whenever you feel that your hands are dirty

What is the ideal duration of washing the hands?

There is no such fixed time; However, it is advisable that one should scrub his/her hands for at least 20-30 seconds until every part of hand's skin is properly massaged. Keep in mind that if dirt is thick that this time can be increased. Washing time depends upon the full cleanliness of your hands so that further virus infection can be prevented.

What are the alternatives to washing hands?

It may happen that in certain scenario, you don't have soap or refilled liquid hand washer with you. In this case, you can use hand sanitizer. A hand sanitizer contains at least 60% alcohol. Alcohol is a chemical potent in killing germs and even virus. It is advisable that one should always keep a bottle of sanitizer with himself or at home. 

The use of hand sanitizer is same as with soap. Take enough amount of sanitizer and scrub all sides of hands for at least 20-30 seconds to get rid of coronavirus / germs / bacteria completely.

Is there any compulsion of using warm water as it may better work in fighting against coronavirus?

No, you can use simple regular water at any temperature. Hot water or cold water or water at any temperature is equally effective in fighting against bacteria or viruses.

Is it necessary to dry hands after washing?

Yes for sure because germs spread more quickly from wet hands in comparison to dry hands. So, drying your hands is an important step not to avoid. Paper handkerchiefs or clean towel is the most effective way to remove germs or other pathogens from hands.

Which is better: using soap or a hand sanitizer?

In general, both are effective way to kill coronavirus if used / practiced properly. soap kills the coronavirus by destroying the outer shell which protects it. Soap also works well on visible dirty hands while hand sanitizer seems ineffective in this case. 

Hand sanitizer is more handy when you are outside of home. Somehow, it can be more expensive and difficult to procure in some scenarios. It is evident that alcohol in hand sanitizer is effective in killing coronavirus but not potent in killing all types of viruses or bacteria such norovirus and rotavirus. 

Important: Hand sanitizer can be dangerous if consumed. So, keep it away from children. Children can use it under an adult's guidance and supervision. Teach your children to wash their hands properly in an educative way so that overall risk of spreading coronavirus can be reduced.

What are the other measures that can keep me safe from coronavirus spreading?

• Practice physical distancing: It includes staying away from other person; maintain at least 6 feet distance from other person if he/she appear suspicious. 
• Air rooms frequently by leaving the doors or windows open
• Avoid shaking hands, sharing food, utensils, cups, towels, and other stuffs
• Make a habit of wearing masks whenever you are outside of home or interacting with stranger
• Avoid touching your face
• Stay at home if feeling unwell and remain quarantined until getting well
• Adopt proper coughing & sneezing etiquette: Use towel / tissue papers while coughing / sneezing and wash your hands immediately.
• Clean surfaces that might have coronavirus on it. It should be done if you are doubtful of it.

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